Stain Survival Guide: 5 Common Culprits and How to Treat Them at Home
Let’s be honest—life in Tulsa can be messy. Whether it’s spilled coffee from a morning rush on Cherry Street, sweat from a summer festival at Guthrie Green, or grass stains from backyard football in Midtown, stains have a sneaky way of showing up uninvited. But don’t worry—before you toss that shirt in defeat or panic over your favorite dress, we’ve got your back.
Here are five of the most common stains we see at Fox Cleaners and what you can do at home to treat them before they set in for good.
1. Coffee Stains
What Happens: Coffee stains are tannin-based, which means they set fast—especially in light-colored fabrics.
What You Can Do at Home: Blot the stain gently with a clean cloth or paper towel. Don’t rub it, or you’ll just spread it around. Then, mix a solution of cold water and a few drops of dish soap. Dab it on the stain and let it sit for 5–10 minutes. Rinse and repeat if needed.
Fox Pro Tip: If you’re near a sink, run cold water through the back of the stain first. It helps push the coffee out of the fibers rather than deeper in. And yes, this works even if the coffee had cream in it.
2. Sweat Stains
What Happens: Sweat reacts with aluminum in deodorant, creating those lovely yellow marks that show up on white shirts like clockwork.
What You Can Do at Home: Create a paste with baking soda and a small splash of water. Spread it on the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse and wash in cold water. For stubborn marks, you can add a splash of white vinegar before washing.
Fox Pro Tip: Don’t toss sweat-stained items in the dryer until you’re sure the stain is gone—the heat will set it permanently. Hang dry first to check.
3. Grass Stains
What Happens: Grass contains chlorophyll, which bonds to fabric and can be tough to remove—especially from cotton or denim.
What You Can Do at Home: Pretreat the area with a dab of liquid laundry detergent or even a drop of dish soap. Gently scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Rinse and repeat. For extra stain-fighting power, soak the item in cold water with a little vinegar.
Fox Pro Tip: Grass stains love texture—so fabrics like khakis and jeans need an extra scrub. Tulsans with active kids (or energetic dogs) know the drill!
4. Wine Stains
What Happens: Red wine is packed with tannins and colorants. Once it soaks in, it’s game over if not treated fast.
What You Can Do at Home: Blot (don’t rub) as much wine as possible with a clean cloth. Then, sprinkle a little salt on the stain—it can help absorb moisture and prevent it from spreading. After that, mix a small amount of hydrogen peroxide with dish soap and dab it on. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes, then rinse.
Fox Pro Tip: This is one to act on immediately. If it happens during a dinner party, excuse yourself for five minutes—you’ll thank yourself later.
5. Dirt and Mud
What Happens: Oklahoma’s red clay doesn’t play around. Mud is basically nature’s dye.
What You Can Do at Home: Let the mud dry completely—seriously. Trying to clean wet mud will just smear it deeper. Once dry, brush off as much as you can. Then, soak the area in cold water with a bit of laundry detergent. Gently scrub, rinse, and repeat until clean.
Fox Pro Tip: Tulsa’s spring storms can leave your clothes looking like you went off-roading. Keep an old toothbrush near your laundry station for quick spot-scrubbing.
When the Stain Wins, Let Us Handle It
Some stains are just too stubborn. If your home remedies don’t cut it—or you’re too busy to play chemist—Fox Cleaners is here for you. We’ve seen it all and cleaned it all, using professional-grade products and techniques that go beyond what’s possible at home.
From wine-soaked linens to grass-streaked uniforms, we’ve helped Tulsa look sharp since 1984. So the next time a stain tries to ruin your day, treat it fast—and if needed, send it to the experts.
Bonus Tip: Always check the care label before trying any DIY stain treatment. If the tag says “dry clean only,” play it safe and let the pros handle it.
Schedule a pickup or stop by our store on 41st and Harvard in Tulsa. We’d love to say hi!
